Comfort Zone

That's where I live folks, in a comfort zone. Not to be confused with the Twilight Zone...*cue scary TZ music*...but a comfort zone.

Of course there's nothing wrong with being comfortable, in fact it's great. Problem occurs when you get too comfortable and won't change or don't take a risk to try something new or different. My Gawd I'm a Republican. NO NO NO. Uh, back on track, it's kinda scary or threatening to think about moving up and on in life...to a new city...to a new job...to a new experience. For the most part, I enjoy my small town life. No crime, no pollution, no traffic, but alas no fun here either. I'm surrounded by people who think Faux News is accurate and quality stuff, by people who say "the Bible says so and so" when they don't have a clue as to what's really in the Good Book, by people who think good eatin' happens at Texas Roadhouse or the Olive Garden. Ok, so I like the OG, I'll stop throwing stones.

Enter my good friend "Sean". A wonderful chap I met earlier this summer, who if circumstances were right, I'd kidnap and force to be my houseboy. He offers everything I want in a significant other. Intelligent, witty, charming, good looking, but totally not the "TYPE" I'd describe as my type. Funny how life throws a curveball and it still helps you get a good hit. (sorry for the bad baseball analogy). Anyhoo, "Sean" really challenges me in a good way, teaches me things, and helps me grow as a person. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago, he had to go halfway around the world for his job. He'll return in the Spring. We had fun together, I knew he was leaving at the end of summer, so I was prepared for saying goodbye...only I didn't get to, because we didn't see each other before he left.

"Sean" writes in a recent email...

"I've always wanted to live and work outside the US for a while. And if you want to be a hawk and watch... I hope it's what makes you happy. And if it's not... then I hope you find what does make you happy. There is a world of difference between struggling with what you don't like and struggling with what you do like. The work might be as grueling, but the pay-off is so much better. Are you happy, W?"

Yikes.

My take on it. Wow. I'm not the kind to go off exploring for adventure. Living in a new place in the U S scares the beejeezus out of me, let alone a foreign country. Kudos to "Sean" for living his dream and making it happen. Right now, I'm happy. Could I be happier? Sure! I could also be pretty miserable too. Finding the balance in between is not easy to do. Do I hate my job? Eh, no. I don't love it either, but I really don't see myself doing anything else.

When it comes time to move on or change, I'll know when the time is right. However, it's just like "Sean" to challenge me, make me think, and for that I thank him. Here's to "Sean", I wish him the best on all his journeys in life, and I hope our paths cross again soon.

"Roam if you want to,

Roam around the world

Roam if you want to,

Without wing, without wheels,

Roam if you want to,

Without anything but the love we feel."

Lyric of the Day - Roam - The B52's